“The idea behind that is some people want to be able to print on the bag for traceability,” he said.

Lot numbers of the source of the product can be printed on the bag, accommodating whatever information customers want on the bag, Fox said.

The patented bag has mesh and polyfilm sides, Fox added.

Hollandia Produce

Carpinteria, Calif.-based Hollandia Produce LLC plans to introduce a “value-added packing idea” for end users and merchandisers later this year, said Vince Choate, marketing director.

He declined to disclose any details, but he said in late June the company was test-marketing the idea and getting consumer feedback.

IFCO Systems

Tampa, Fla.-based IFCO Systems is putting “lift latches” on all new reusable plastic containers, said Fred Heptinstall, president and general manager with the company’s RPC Management Services division.

“Their real value comes at store level when somebody is folding down many of these each day,” Heptinstall said.

International Paper adds mini-former

Ease of use is the idea behind a new miniature former at Memphis, Tenn.-based International Paper, said Don Wallace, director of produce with the company.

The machine is part of IP’s Mechanical Packaging System, which includes machines that set up boxes and has technicians who offer customer support, Wallace said.

He said the machine’s smaller size lowers transportation costs and energy usage.

Monterey Mushrooms markets resealables

Watsonville, Calif.-based Monterey Mushrooms Inc. is building interest in resealable bags for its sliced mushrooms, vice president Joe Caldwell said.

“We’re continuing to respond to private label retailers and how do we deal with this new packaging aspect with their private label limitations,” he said.

Package Containers goes locally grown

Canby, Ore.-based Package Containers Inc. has developed a “Locally Grown” line of HomeToter bags, which are single-handle kraft bags with coordinating wire ties, said Robert Degnan, president and chief executive officer.

The bag line features a wrap-around, forest-green farm scene on natural kraft stock and has a matching imprinted handle and logo reinforcing the locally grown concept, the company said. The certified-compostable paper used in the bags meets standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Inks and glues are water-soluble.

The bag, which features the company’s Quad-Fold handle, is reusable, Degnan said. The bags are available in three sizes, holding 4-5, 5-8 and 8-10 pounds.

Rainier Fruit to change apple label design

Selah, Wash.-based Rainier Fruit Co., which recently changed the design on its organic blueberry clamshells, plans to do the same for apples during the upcoming Washington apple deal, said Suzanne Wolter, marketing director.

“One of the big trends with consumers is to know where their produce comes from, and now a 16-digit number is appended to the website, so if the consumer scans that code, it takes him to the website,” he said.

The website includes videos of growers, a link on which customers can leave feedback and other features, Wishnatzki said.

Wish Farms also has developed a laser-tagging system called FireTag to label entire pallets of products with a single application, Wishnatzki said.

The company has applied for a patent on the system, which, as of early July, was still in prototype form and, thus, was not yet ready for the mass market.